USAID-Backed Program Facilitates Male Circumcisions in Zimbabwe

The Canadian Press reports on how a USAID-backed program operating in Zimbabwe is helping provide male circumcision services. Despite what the article describes as tension between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the U.S., the "program, begun in May 2009, has carried out 12,000 circumcisions. The U.S. spent $6.6 million on it in the first year and more money is promised as the program scales up," the news service writes. "The U.S. is Zimbabwe's biggest aid donor  more than $1 billion since 2002  and the biggest contributor to nationwide modern AIDS clinics that have tested and counselled 2 million people." The article describes how previous studies have shown male circumcision drives down HIV transmission rates, profiles a 32-year-old man from Zimbabwe who receives a circumcision through the U.S.-supported program, and describes its expansion plans. The piece includes quotes from Bill Jansen, a senior adviser with USAID in Zimbabwe (Shaw, 11/14).

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Beforeadding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.